davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1887-02-05

This is the first day of the year
1887, Ammo Domini. It is not easy
to see why the year should begin
In the middle of winter when APP
parently the beginning of spring
would have been more appropriate.
In fact, the ancient Roman year
did begin with the first day of
March, but the calendar was SUBJ
sequently revised Some ancient
nations commenced the year with
the autumnal equinox, which comes
on the 21st Of September, but
spring is the most obvious season
for the beginning of a year which
should pass through. all the stages
of seed time and harvest.
The explanation Of the mid
winter period for the commence
ment of the year in all the coun-
tries of Christendom is this: All
the ancient Eastern nations made
use of the lunar month in their
computation of time. Dates based
on the changes of the moon do not
recur at regular periods, but are
movable, like Easter Day and Mardi
Gras, which still survive in the
modern ecclesiastical calendar.
The Chinese New Years Day is
also one of these movable dates,
being based on the changes Of the
moon. When Numa was King Of
Rome, about us b. c., he fixed
the first day of the year as it then
stood, dropping the reckoning of
the lunar year and adopting the
solar year instead. He named the
first month after the psychological
deity Janus, who looked back into
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1887-02-05
Is,sser.ey il. Lo.,s,ana-

The table published by Secretary
of State Arroyo to the registered
voters of the State of Louisiana
gives melancholy evidence that
the educational advantages of the
State are not sfiicient for its pres
emit needs and that it is going
backward, toward illiteracy, rather
than forward
By the census of 1880 there were
ZIG, 1877 males of voting age in
Louisiana, of whom lis, 1875, or
i52.4 per cent, could write their
names, while 102, 932, or A, g, made
their marks. OF course the greater
portion of these illiterates were
among the negroes, over 50 per
cent, or four-fifths, of that race
being unable to write; but the
number of white illiterates was far
too large, 1877, Is per cent or
more than one-seventh of the total
white voting population.
Six years have rolled BY since
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1887-02-05

The parishes of Winn and YER
non, in this State, are to come In
for goodly slice of luck. During
Jay Gould's call at Shreveport the
other day, he let it be understood
that he has purchased 100000
acres of pine lands in those par
ishes, and that he intended to use
his purchase for railroad lumber
and car construction.
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1887-02-05
An Appeal to the Louisiana Pres

Editor Bossier Banner
At a meeting Of the citizens of
north Bossier and Caddo parishes,
held at Cottage Grove, Bossier
parish, Sept. 4, 1886, the under
signed committee was appointed
and instructed to address you for
publication the following letter,
and also as an appeal to the Louis
lana press to copy and comment
on the same. s
In ancient times the voice of the
people was subservient to no power
under the sun. Even when our
Savior reigned upon earth, the
voice of the Jews crying cruelty
Him, cruelty Him, overawed the
rulers and they had. to succumb to
the cry of the populace. Moving
with the speed of electricity, the
voice of the people is still acknowl-
edged as supreme law But the
power that is behind the throne,
shaping the opinions of the people
morally and politically, is the great
American free press. This power
wields q salutary influence upon
the mind of the public that viii
never cease SO long as the press
remains untrammeiled and allowed
to exercise its functions In q moral
way for the good of man and society.
The citizens of this community
have met in mass meeting on several
occasions and took decided steps to
break up miscegenation and its
evil consequences, and their efforts
have been crowned with unparal-
leled success without resorting to
the use of coercive measures in a
single case
The press in many instances
have denounced miscegenation and
its effects upon the Anglo-Saxon
blood, in unmeasured terms. But
a very large majority of the news
paper fraternity have failed to
comprehend the magnitude of this
wide spread and growing evil, and
pass it unnoticed. ~ g
Perhaps it may be considered
matter not sufficiently chaste 70
appear in public print, yet they
publish the most fragrant acts OF
the rapist, and comment upon it In
very decided terms. Why then
hesitate to expose and denounce
the miscegenist whose very act
destroys the purity of society and
of the Anglo Saxon blood ?
We venture the assertion that
there is not mother in the land,
who does not rejoice at the effort
of the people to purge society of
this disgrace, and who would not
eagerly read all editorials denounc-
ing this abominable practice.
Although the citizens of Bossier
and Caddo parishes have done
much to attract the attention Of
the people in other portions Of the
State, still there remains much to
be done in order that like associa-
tions may be established in every
neighborhood throughout the State,
Il I
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1887-02-05
mo-

then. The State has made many
efforts to improve its schools and
has expended all it could for them.
Yet what is the condition of the
voters to-day ? By the report of
the Secretary of State, their num-
Der has increased to 90, 236, about
equal to the increase of population
in the State, the improvement be-
ing about equally divided between
the whites and negroes. But when
we come to literacy and illiteracy
we find that there has been actual
movement backward.
OF the voting population of the
State in 1880, majority could
write their names; to-day q ma
jority are unable to do so. The
number of illiterate voters has
grown from 102, 1872 in 1880 to 49,
Al in 1886; the number who can
write has actually fallen from 49,
895 to los, 426. The youth growing
up in Louisiana and becoming
voters are growing up in Ignorance
and ilIiteracy. The schools are
not only unable to make any inn
preston on the illiteracy in this
State, but cannot even keep up
with it; and we are consequently
drifting backward
Here is the relative standing of
illiteracy in 1880 and 1886:
Pssosntsss Of ilissssss coiossd sotsis s0i S
Percentages of illitsrate voters Of both
races .Ho vi
We could still boast in 1880 that
q majority of the voters of the
State were able to read and write,
that intelligence was in q majority,
but we can make this boast no
longer. Illiteracy is in an absolute
majority at the ballot box, and
more than half the voters who 60
to the polls are unable to tell from
their tickets for whom they are
voting.
Such is the melancholy picture
presented by Mr.. Arroyo's statis-
tics, statistics not to be disputed,
for they are taken from the regis
tration books, where the voters
sign their names.
In the face of such facts the evil
dence that Notwithstanding the
earnest efforts of the State and its
contribution of all it can afford to
the public schools, that the ratio of
illiteracy is increasing in this as it
is in some other Southern States,
for some of them will make the
same melancholy allowing, that
Southerners who would refuse any
aid offered for the school system,
must indeed love and cherish ig-
norance and illiteracy. We cannot
see how any one Of them can de-
cline the opportunity offered by
the Blair or any other bill to stop
the tide of illiteracy and ignorance
sweeping over the South. We
have SO far done nothing, less than
nothing. for the protection of this
section from il; we have not even
kept the tide in It's bounds, but it
is constantly sweeping forward
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1887-02-05
CoLFAx GRANT PARISH, LA, SATURDAY FEBRUARY s. 1887

May the great dailies of New
Orleans and all the journals of the
State take hold of this matter, and
treat it in such language as is nee
essary to arouse the people to the
enormity of the crime.
We, as citizens of Louisiana,
appeal most earnestly to the news
papers OF the State to agitate and
continue TO agitate this subject,
keep it fresh before the minds of
the people, make it an issue, if
possible, before our next general
assembly, that possibly law may
be enacted to prevent the inter
mingling of the Caucasian and
African blood.
In conclusion, for the benefit of
race purity; to save our sons from
this dire calamity; to uphold the
moral precepts engendered by so
ciety, we most respectfully urge
cooperation of the Louisiana press
in taking decided stand against
this incubus on society that is pre-
vailing to such an alarming extent
throughout the South.
JOHN PICKETT,
w. J. HUGHES,
w. j. FISH,
j. A. SNYDER,
j. nj. ARNOLD.
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1887-02-05

The intrusion of unlimited guests
at society Entertainments in Wash
ington has during the past year or
two been the source of much an
noyance to persons having such
entertainments in charge. This
nuisance reached the climax at the
Chinese Minister'S ball, which was
held at the legation residence on
Wednesday evening, 26th inst.
Although but 700 tickets of invi-
tation had been issued, more than
1900 crowded themselves into the
apartments. 1t is probable that at
all entertainments hereafter given,
tickets of admission will be issued,
to be presented at the door.
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1887-02-05

The hest saIve in the wsrld for euts,
bruises, soress ulcers, salt rheunl, leverp
snres. tctter, chappsd hsnds, chill
bIains cnrns. and al akin ernpious,
and positively cures piles, or no pay
required. II IL guaranteed to give
eatisfaeti0n.a ar money refunded.
Price IS cents per box. For sslle BY
The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1887-02-05

The interstate commerce bill has
passed both branches of Congress,
and now awaits the signature of
the President to become a law of
the land. 1t is to be hoped this
bill will receive executive sanction.
as it is only through National leg
islation that railroad impositions
on the public can be checked and
these corporations made to under
stand that the law is intended for
the protection of individual inter-
ests and not railroad monopolies.
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-06-30

While it is true, newspapers live by
reason of their advertising columns be
ing adequately patti onized. the publica~
ton of advertisements has come to be an
imperative adjunct to the news supplying
of the paper. The public demands the
advertising column as imperiously as it
demands the Geographic column or the
stock report. II is no longer solely a
question between the advertiser and the
paper; it is matter between the seller
and the buyer. The public says to the
merchant in effect: Tell us what YOU
have and what your selling prices are. 50
that we may deal with you understand
ingly, or We will 90 elsewhere Ia trade s.
1t Is as necessary to advertise in these
days as it Is TO keep up with the fashion
in LAYING in of stock. Non advertisers
are like merchants who try TO supply
this years demand with last years goods;
they must be content with second class
trade and meager PROFITS, The most sue
cessful business men have been the most
liberal advertisers of their business to the
public.
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-06-30
A Great Convenience.

Win R. johnson provided the public
with great convenience when he put In
the special wire to Chicago by which he
obtains the correct standard time from
Chicago direct at noon each day. Many
of our business men have already realized
the advantages growing out of Johnson S
enterprise, and they make it point to
set their watches by his regulator imme-
diately after noon each day. If their
ticker is worth anything then they are
sure to have correct and reliable time II
they are not possessed of good watch it
is nobody's fault but their own, because
johnson can give them the best in the
market on the most liberal terms.
There is no reason in the world
why everybody in Rock Island should moi
have the correct time with such leweler
as johnson in our midst. 1t Johnson
keeps on going TO the private expense of
such public convenlences and selling
goods at such low prices. We are afraid
he will have nothing left in his store, and
the rest of us will all wear fine jewelry
and glistening diamonds.
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-06-30
Beautiryinx the Depot.

For four weeks MIR. E. F. Hickey and
corps of special artists in the employ
of the G., r. l. s. P. have been in Rock
Island engaged in the work of beautifying
the c., R. |. Il P. depot. The exterior
of the depot, baggage room and other
adjoining buildings have been tastefully
painted, while the interior of the depot
has been entirely changed in appearance.
The woodwork has been grained. while the
upper walls and ceilings have been hand
somely frescoed, employing six different
shades of buff in the decoration. Agent
Cooks Office has also been frescoed and the
inner walls of Bsggagemaster Groves
office has also been painted. Davis 4
Co., are to put in new chandeliers. The
steam coils have been gilded the settees
painted and vanished and the waiting
rooms given much better appearance
than when they were new. The artists
under Mr.. Hickey's supervision in this
work are Philip Diebel, Robt. Davis
Frank Gardner and AL Gibson All arc
skilled men with the bru sh and stencil
while Mr.. Hickey's ideas of artistic beauty
are first class.
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-06-30

In order to boom your own town. says
the Salt Lake Noes. you must not only
talk about il aud write about IT, but
must also endcav"r to beaUiIfy and make
it attractive THIS NAV be done 10 a
certain extent, by making such improve
mcnts as YOU consistently can. If you
are not wealthy, no one will expect you
to erect palatial mansion, or individu>
ally start a large factory, but you can do
somethIng, 1ou can use your influence
IN electing good men 10 public offices and
sustain them when elected. You can be
friendly to every one, even the stranger
within your gates. You can sustain
propositions for public Improvements,
even if they do not personally benefit
you ct the time. You can repair your
sidewalks and fences and trim your
trees. If possible, employ somebody, if
it is only to do a job of whitewashing
And if you can not help otherwise you
can cheer those men who come to the
front with public improvements.
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-06-30
COAL VALLEY.

GOAL VALLEY, June ~.
Albert Caughey starts for Kansas to-
morrow.
There will be no celebration here on
the Fourth.
F. Naylor has set up ten Plano reap
ers and are all giving good satisfaction.
Charles Gobot is back, He has been
away for some time, recently coming
from Memphis. Tenn.
The hay crop is poorer than first ex>
pected it would be. Even the bottoms dc
not turn out well.
Willie Kapp. the mute boy, is quite i'll
with measels. and poisining supposed to
be from the bite of worm while bath
ing.
On last Sunday Charles Evener, son
of Geo Evener, was trimming young
horses foot in the stable, no one being
present. 1t is supposed the horse had
taken fright at something. and from ap'
pearances the boy must have been thrown
down and tramped upon. He was able
to wax to the house, but his nose is broker
and he has severe cuts under both eyes
and deep cash through his upper lip
He bled profusely A doctor was sum
moned from Milan and his wounds wert
dressed. His eyes were closed after
swelling commenced, but are now open
He could not speak for couple of days
The bones in the nose are all in place
and he is doing well, and is not fatal,
injured.
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-06-30
MARSTON.
MANSION. Ill IuI

MARSTON, ILL. June 20.
Mr.. ]. W. Harris, our merchant, was
at Muscatine, Iowa, few days ago.
Mr. N. G. Elliott has completed his
new hay barn. being very nicely ar
ranged building for the kind.
The path masters have been working
the roads recently in this neigh borhood
W hich are in nice condition at present.
The Ladies Aid society gave an
ice cream festival at the residence Of Mr..
VIM, Drury. on Wednesday night, June
90.
Harvesting will soon be upon us, when
the busy farmer will occupy his time in
filling the barns with hay and grain. A
few have already commenced putin in
Their hay.
Mr. Harry Browning has retur ned from
Geneseo where he has been attending
school He will remain at home until
fall, when he will again resume his
stu dies at that place.
Mr.. n Lewis, the aged father of W.
NJ Lewis. recent resident of Kansas
and one of the old settlers of this place,
is visiting us. He emigrateG to Kansas
from this place in about 1860. He is
nearly ninety years old.
There will be a Fourth of July celebIa-
ton at this place on Monday. The ar
engagements were made on the evening of
the 25th, Mr.. Maddox being appointed
president of the day and II. 6. Marston
was elected marshal The committee on
speakers will endeavor to procure good
| speaker to deliver the Grafton. ALI an
| iicIpate good time.
The little village of Marston was the
scene of enjoyment on the 25lh, there
being a school picnic at this place. The
East Buffalo and Antioch schools uniting
their strength, gave one of the grandes
entertainments of the kind ever witnessed
in this vicinity. There were about tire,
hundred persons in attendance. The re
past, which was of abundance, was par
| taken of in the school house yard, sfte
which the people assembled in the churcl
where well arranged programme wa
carried into effect, consisting of declama
lions, dialogues, reading exercise, etc, i
which all seemed interested.
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-06-30
Appealing to Heaven for Rain.

Farmers throughout Henry county are
in desperate straits for lack of rain, and
at Cambridge Tuesday, special services
were held in the Congregational church for
the purpose of offering up prayers for
rain. The town and county for miles
around were billed with small orange
colored posters reading:
Prayer for rain. Special service will be
held in theCongregauonal church, Tues
day, June rs, at 10 a. m. 1t is hoped that
the members of the different churches, the
farmers of the district and the business men
of our town will devote the above hour
to pleading with heaven for rain to save
our crops from ruin. Cambridge, Ill. ,
June 81, 1887
Unless today's rain extends in
quantity and territory several large
series of prayer meetings will be
held throughout Henry county as several
similar to that at Cambridge have already
been held. Crops and stock in certain
parts of Rock Island county are suffering
with the drouth, but no religious meet
ings have as yet been held.
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-06-30
Iowa and Illinois VI. D's,

The annual meeting of the Iowa an
Illinois Central District Medical ass ocia,
ton, will he held in the Academy OF
Science, Davenport, at O'Clock p. M,
July 14ih. The election of officers fol
the ensuing year will be held at this meet.
ing aud the following papers will b,
read: Presidents address," DR.. j. w.
Fl. Baker. Davenport; Faith Cure;
and Christian Scientists. Or. II. De.
Almond, LeClaire,; Uterine Displace>
ments," DIR. G. Truesdaie. Rock Isl
and. Volunteer papers, reports or ex'
hibition of pathological specimens ar,
solicited. DR.. George L. Eyster is secre-
tary of the society.
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-06-30

Invitations have been received by a
number of the society folk to attend a
party composed of young people of the
three cities thai will take a ride ON the
river to Clinton tomorrow. They will
leave Rock Island at O'Clock in the af.
ternoon. Davenport at $50 and Moline
about AIS. From there they 90 to Gin
ton, where they will be met by friends
residing in that city and escorted to the
club room for dance. The party will
return the next morning. arriving about
10 O'Clock. Mrs. G. FL. Deere aud Mrs.
M. Y. Cady of Moline and Mrs. Lafayette
Lamb and Mrs. Schiller Hosford OF Gin
ton, will chaperon the party,
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-06-30

Time tried aud true is DIR. Bigelow &
cure, which combines the good qualities
of all the hest cough remedies, without
promptly and permanently coughs, colds
Group, whopping cough, influenza. broni'
chius. 'hoarseness, incipient consumption
and all throat and lung diseases. healing
the lungs. Safe aud pleasant for child
rem. Price, 50 cents and 81. of drug
gists,
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-06-30

AT 0fferman's island Sunday, July Sd,
under the auspices of the Friedr Muench
olge, No. 1876. d. o. II. The steamer
Verne Swain will leave at the foot OF
Eighteenth street at / o'clock, aud will
make round trips about every hour
music by Bleuers band, Admission
free. Rare rs cents round trip. ladies
and children free.
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-06-30
An Excellent Medicine.

MY wife and myself were in bad
health for some fifteen years. | chanceo
to be looking over one of Simmons livel
regulator almanacs and saw A. H. Stew.
ems and Bishop Plerce's names to testi-
monials | then obtained some of the
regulator, and can heartily recommend
the liver regulator to my friends as an
excellent medicine" z. E. HARRISON,
NJ D., Gordensville, Va
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-06-30
When Visiting New York.

Stop at the newly opened and central
ly located Sturtevant house, Broadway
and Twenty ninth Street. Largely re.
built; entirely refurnished; new plumbing
new elevator, etc. Perfect cuisine; mod.
crate prices; convenient to all the eleVa-
ted railroad stations. Matthews s. Pier
son, proprietors,
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-06-30

with J. E. Loosely Il Co.. Successors to
Hayes & Cleaveland) general insurance
agents. Fire, tornado, cargo, life and
accident insurance policies written at
lowest rates given by any reliable com
pany. Ocean steamship passage tickets
for sale. Office removed To No. 1713
Second avenue, next decs snst of Nc
Intire & Co.
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-06-30
BucKLEN's ARHIcA sALyR.

The greatest medical wonder of the world
Warranted to speedily cure burns, bruises,
cuts, ulcers, salt rheum, fever sores. can
GERS, piles, chilblains, corns.. letter, chap
ped hands, and all skin eruptions, guaran-
teed to cure in every instance, or money
refunded. % cents per box For sale by
Hsrtz q Bslfnseh,
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-06-30

Prof. J H Southwell and Mr.. Howard
Wells have gone out to investigate the
natural gas discoveries on the camp
ground south of Milan. The probabili-
ties are that steps will be taken TO make
thorough investigation of the matter.
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-06-30

W. N. Thomas was fined So and costs
for intoxication.
j. L. Fish, of Davenport, was arrested
by officer Cary this morning for peddling
rubber stamps without llcence. He
was fined S. and costs
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-06-30

The Mary Morton went south this
morning
The Pittsburg came up at noon, making
the best time to this port out of st. Louis
this season. She left St. Louis Tuesday
of A N m
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-06-30
Notice

The business of the firm of Park &
Ellis must be closed Immediately. All
persons indebted to the firm will please
call and settle their accounts without de-
lay. WILLIAM JACKSON, Atty.
Rock Island, June II. 1887.
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-06-30
HOsFoRp,S ACID PHOSPHATE


DIR. A. l.. Turner, head physician,
Bloomsbury sanitarlum, Philadelphia
Pa, says; Have prescribed it in severa
hundred cases of epilepsy. and ALWAYS
with good results, As an adjunct y
the recuperative powers of the nerv.us
system | know of nothing to equal u.